Announcement, Press Release |
Nine participants in the (W)RAP drug court program will graduate on Thursday, November 30, at a special ceremony at the Leighton Criminal Courthouse, according to Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans.
The ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 402, 2600 S. California Ave., in Chicago. The media is welcome to attend, and can also watch by Zoom (Meeting ID: 851 0615 4375, Passcode: 402402). All graduates will appear in person.
The Hon. Charles Burns, who presides over the Rehabilitative Alternative Probation and Woman’s Rehabilitative Alternative Probation treatment courts, also known as (W)RAP, will preside over the ceremony. (W)RAP is an alternative court program for individuals who have committed non-violent drug-related offenses and one of 20 problem-solving courts in the Circuit Court of Cook County.
“This is an outstanding class and another example of progressive justice at its best,” said Judge Burns. “I’m proud of our justice system and I’m proud of our graduates.”
Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said he is encouraged by the continued success of problem-solving courts. “These courts help address the underlying problems that lead people into criminal activity,” Judge Evans said. “We want to move people away from criminal activity and allow them to become productive citizens, not just punish them.”
Two other problem-solving court graduations are scheduled next month – a Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court graduation on Dec. 6 in Maywood, and a Mental Health Court graduation on December 14.
(W)RAP is a two-year drug treatment program that provides access to treatment as an alternative to being sentenced to prison in felony cases. The goal of the program is to help individuals in their recovery from drugs or alcohol addiction. This program offers support, services, and accountability to help participants readjust to the community as a sober and changed person.
There are two separate programs—a men’s program and a women’s program—that are identically structured, but offer gender specific services to best meet the needs of the participant. While in the program, participants complete substance use treatment with frequent drug and alcohol screens, appear in court, and attend regular self-help support groups, as well as any other treatment or counseling recommended by the (W)RAP team. The program has established community partnerships to assist participants to locate and obtain interim and long-term housing, to help furnish newly obtained housing, and offer career employment and financial credit services, mental health counseling, and trauma-informed treatment.
Upon graduation from the program, the participants’ criminal charges are dismissed and related court and law enforcement records are expunged.
All Rise, the leading training, membership, and advocacy organization for treatment courts, named Judge Burns to the Stanley Goldstein Treatment Court Hall of Fame earlier this year for his leadership with the (W)RAP program.
Problem-solving courts are located in the Criminal Courthouse and all five suburban districts. These courts offer individuals charged with nonviolent felony offenses a path toward stability and recovery. Other problem-solving courts include Mental Health Court and Veterans Treatment Court.
The next problem-solving court ceremony will be for two graduates of Mental Health Court and one graduate of Veterans Treatment Court at the Maywood Courthouse, 1500 Maybrook Drive, in Maywood, Courtroom 101, on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 2 p.m. The Hon. Kristyna C. Ryan presides over these courts.
On December 14, a problem-solving court graduation will be held for the Mental Health Court at the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, at 2 p.m. The Hon. Lauren Edidin will preside in Room 201 over the ceremony for four graduates.
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